Triple honours for Whangara

Whangara Mai Tawhiti added to their history of success at Te Matatini national kapa haka competition in Wellington with three trophies albeit not the premier one. Whangara won the best haka, best choral item and best closing item categories. Top kapa haka group went to Nga Tumanako of Auckland. Picture by Te Matatini Incorporated Society

The title of best kapa haka group in the country may not be returning to Te Tairawhiti this year, but 2017 champions Whangara Mai Tawhiti still left an impression on the national stage at Te Matatini ki Te Ao this week.

Auckland group Nga Tumanako were named the winners and took home the Duncan McIntyre/Ngapo and Pimia Wehi Trophy after yesterday’s top nine finals at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

Whangara was the sole representative of Te Tairawhiti in the finals and came away with three major trophies.

Their haka “Kuki”, about Captain Cook, “the scoundrel, the villain”, won the best haka trophy.

Whangara also won the award for the best choral item, with their song entitled “Wikitoria”, a tribute to the late Wiki Saddlier — a stalwart and supporter of the group, who died in a car accident on SH35 last year.

The group dedicated their action song to Erica Jones, a member of the team, who was also killed in a car accident on SH35 last year.

The closing item of their bracket, or the whakawatea, was also a highlight, and Whangara was awarded the trophy for that item.

At the prizegiving, Te Matatini Incorporated Society chairman Selwyn Parata announced that the next festival would be held in 2021 in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), at Eden Park.

The performances of all five local teams can be viewed online at Maori Television via the on demand service.

The title of best kapa haka group in the country may not be returning to Te Tairawhiti this year, but 2017 champions Whangara Mai Tawhiti still left an impression on the national stage at Te Matatini ki Te Ao this week.

Auckland group Nga Tumanako were named the winners and took home the Duncan McIntyre/Ngapo and Pimia Wehi Trophy after yesterday’s top nine finals at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

Whangara was the sole representative of Te Tairawhiti in the finals and came away with three major trophies.

Their haka “Kuki”, about Captain Cook, “the scoundrel, the villain”, won the best haka trophy.

Whangara also won the award for the best choral item, with their song entitled “Wikitoria”, a tribute to the late Wiki Saddlier — a stalwart and supporter of the group, who died in a car accident on SH35 last year.

The group dedicated their action song to Erica Jones, a member of the team, who was also killed in a car accident on SH35 last year.

The closing item of their bracket, or the whakawatea, was also a highlight, and Whangara was awarded the trophy for that item.

At the prizegiving, Te Matatini Incorporated Society chairman Selwyn Parata announced that the next festival would be held in 2021 in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), at Eden Park.

The performances of all five local teams can be viewed online at Maori Television via the on demand service.